title: Prostate cancer in pesticide applicators in Swedish agriculture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of chemicals in agriculture has been associated with elevated risks of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze prostate cancer risk in a cohort of 20,025 pesticide applicators in agriculture licensed between 1965-1976.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort was followed up in the Swedish Cancer Register from date of licence until death of December 31, 1991. The mean follow-up time was 21.3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer with 401 cases observed compared to 355 expected, with a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.13 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.24). There were 7 cases among those born in 1935 or later, and the SIR was 2.03 (0.82-4.19). For those born earlier than 1935 the SIR was 1.12 (1.01-1.24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings of a statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer, together with recent results from other studies, imply a relationship between agrochemicals or other risk factors in the environment of farmers and prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiklund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides